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January 14, 2012
8:01 am
Dominica
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October 16, 2011
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Any advice for how to keep track of my accounting: expenses, income, invoices, etc? I am clueless when it comes to this stuff.
January 14, 2012
4:11 pm
Admin
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October 27, 2011
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Katie, I just started using a tool called paymo and you can use it to invoice (which I haven’t done yet), keep track of your time, project plan and so much more.
There are designs that I’ve worked on in the past that are HUGE time suckers and wasters. So I mostly started using this to help keep my design time in check.
There is a free version you can try just go to paymo.biz
For last years designs I’ve started keeping track with paper and pen and am just now getting that info into a spread sheet for tax purposes.
Hope that helps.
-Liz
January 18, 2012
9:39 am
Dominica
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Forum Posts: 17
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October 16, 2011
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Thanks for the advice Liz, I appreciate it. I will definitely check out the paymo tool!
January 22, 2012
10:51 pm
Las Vegas
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Forum Posts: 12
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October 30, 2011
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I’ve never heard of Paymo.biz before, thanks!
I just finished reading The Unlimited Freelancer and the book suggests several systems for billing & accounting…
Complete Accounting Systems:
Less Accounting
GoBootstrap
Xero
Invoicing or Billing Systems:
Billing Manager
Simply Invoices
Invoice Place
Blinksale
Invotrak
Invoices Made Easy
Bill My Clients
Billing Orchard
SimplyBill
Time:59
Bill4Time
Pay Simple
Cashboard
Invoice2Go
Harvest
Trac
Billable
BambooInvoice
CurdBee
–
Never hurts to be thorough! Lol 😉
January 23, 2012
6:31 am
Dominica
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Forum Posts: 17
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October 16, 2011
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Wow, thanks for the recommendations. I’m curious to know which you decide to go with, and how it works out for you!
June 22, 2012
10:01 am
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June 22, 2012
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katieprice said:
Any advice for how to keep track of my accounting: expenses, income, invoices, etc? I am clueless when it comes to this stuff.
There are a lot of tools for tracking projects, expense, income, invoice, time, etc.
Does anyone primarily use Illustrator to do their blog designs, then import into Photoshop? Just curious because I am much more familiar with ai than psd, but I know I’ll learn more over time 😉
January 22, 2012
10:51 pm
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February 10, 2011
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I use Illustrator for almost everything. I haven’t used Photoshop in so long – I forget how to do things.
Too funny…I have the opposite problem. I work primarily in Photoshop, so when it’s time to switch to Illustrator, it takes me a few blinks to get situated. 🙂
The photo editing capabilities drive my decision to design primarily in Photoshop. I design other elements like icons or character illustrations in AI. That’s about it.
January 23, 2012
1:50 am
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April 27, 2011
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I have the CS5 Master Collection but have yet to be able to do anything in Illustrator. My friend told me it was plug & play but I just don’t get it. LOL I use Photoshop for everything.
I do know I need to learn Illustrator. Just need some good tutorials, I guess.
February 8, 2012
12:43 am
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February 4, 2011
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Illustrator is different than Photoshop because it uses vectors rather than pixels to create images. Simply put, when you create things in Illustrator, they can be re-sized easily without resolution issues. (You probably alredy know this.) That’s why creating logos and print materials is ideal in Illustrator. However, the web only uses a 72 pixel/inch resolution universally…so the need for making graphics easily re-sizable isn’t necessary. Therefore, Photoshop is a better tool to learn when you’re just starting out.
August 21, 2012
8:06 am
Bang
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Thanks for the vid, its been helpful. But im havnig trouble splitting the inner path in half in CS5. Seems i cannot find a Scissor tool and i dont know how to use the slice tool instead. Any/ALL advice would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.
August 21, 2012
10:36 pm
nmbrde
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xNv19s qexykgpgbvnk
August 26, 2012
2:15 am
Jaylen
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August 28, 2012
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September 4, 2012
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September 13, 2012
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September 15, 2012
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credit cards :(( online colleges 0599
September 17, 2012
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Malerie
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It’s easy to implement custom fonts onto your blog or website! This tutorial is for both Blogger and WordPress, and will teach you how to choose a custom font for various areas of your site using the free Google Web Font repository. For a larger selection, you can also try a Typekit membership. You can choose fonts for your headings (like your post titles), and a font for your paragraphs (your posts and sidebar items.) You may have more than two fonts – but to decrease the load time of your page, it’s best to have as few as possible.
Click “Add to Collection” when you’re on the page of the font you want to use, and when you’re done click “Use” at the bottom of the page.
Where it says “Add this code to your website”, highlight and copy the specified code.
The second red arrow is the pointing to code that you will add to your CSS. (Scroll down for instructions on where to paste this.)
Instructions for Each Platform:
Blogger: Add the first snippet of code right after the opening tag in your “Edit HTML” section. Be sure to put a backslash before the closing angle bracket.
WordPress: Install the Google Web Fonts Plugin for WordPress. Or if you know where to find the of your document, paste the code in that section. (Varies per theme.) For the Genesis Theme Framework, go to “Theme Settings” and scroll down to the wp_head() section to paste the code in the box. Or paste the @import line of code in the beginning of your CSS.
Now add the second snippet of code into your stylesheet under the headings and sections you would like to take on your chosen fonts. This varies per template, but headings are generally identified with h1 – h6 classes. For example, on this template we would add the CSS under this section:
#content h2 a, #content h2 a:visited {
color: #16ABB8;
text-decoration: none;
font-family: ‘Satisfy’, cursive;
}
Suggestions:
A great tool you can use to see how fonts work with each other is the Web Font Combinator. Choose your post title font, and body font. Some tips for choosing fonts:
1. Readability is key. Use the tabs at the top of Google Web Fonts to view words, sentences, and paragraphs in each font.
2. Fun, cursive, or distinctive fonts are generally okay to use on post titles. For paragraphs, choose something simple, clean, and very easy to read.
3. Mix serif with sans-serif fonts. Make your titles serif, and paragraphs sans-serif – or vice versa. Try using only uppercase letters for headings, make items bold or italic, and get creative!
Here are some suggestions! (Click on any thumbnail to view larger image.)
The art of designing blogs and websites is a relatively new and booming business. Every month several people graduate our Blog & Web Designer Workshop, and other talented individuals all over the web are launching online-based design shops. As a blogger, you may be looking for a designer using our directory, or are searching independently online. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider hiring a new designer to work with you on your next project.
1. Your website needs a more professional touch.
Whether you designed your own site, or had someone design it for you – it’s common to want (and need) a professional update. Hiring a professional can be a rewarding and exciting experience, and the results can make your website stand out among a sea of sites designed by amateurs. The difference in quality is striking, and the result is easily identifiable as something you’ve truly invested in.
2. You don’t have the time to customize your design.
So you’ve tried your hand at design and coding, but unless you’re a designer by profession – it’s likely not your main focus. Rather than spending countless hours tweaking and perfecting, it’s truly remarkable how a great designer can capture your vision. Spend your valuable time focusing on what you find important, and hire a designer that can turn a huge time consuming project into something beautiful in timely manner.
3. You would like to make money from your blog.
Let’s face it, making money online requires some sort of upfront investment. Whether it’s in advertising your site, or investing in a professional web design, or even an investment of your time. Ultimately, the more effort and investment you put toward your website will show to potential advertisers (and your audience) that you take what you do seriously. As a result, they will take you seriously too!
4. You don’t know how to implement the advanced features you want.
You have an idea, you know it can be done, but you don’t have the knowledge or time to make it happen. Hiring a professional designer to take care of the tough stuff for you can eliminate a lot of headache and trial and error time. Many also offer training or helpful tutorials to help you manage your website yourself!
5. You’re looking for a return on an investment.
As mentioned above, the ultimate goal in improving your website is to receive a return on your investment. Whether the return is monetary, increased web traffic, simple satisfaction, or all of the above – ultimately, making an investment in your blog or website using a talented designer that suits your style can bring a tremendous amount of success…
…and here is where you start! Take a moment to browse the portfolios of these designers, and find one that suits you perfectly!
( More designers can be found on our Showcase, in the Directory, and via the Sponsors on our sidebar. )
As the New Year approaches and we begin setting goals, our blogs and websites should be part of our plans! So here are some tips to better your blogs for 2012!
1. Try New Fonts
Since Google has released almost 400 fonts free for use on your blog or website, a simple switch to trendy new fonts can help liven up your site. We all know the tried and true staples that became increasingly popular in the last few years…Century Gothic, Arial, Trebuchet for paragraphs, and a funky handwriting font for headings. This year it’s all about the mix of simple serif fonts with modern sans-serif fonts. Tall and narrow is replacing short and fat. Serif fonts are no longer “outdated” and slab serif fonts are even better. Instead of illegible handwriting fonts, try a clean and upright scripted or calligraphic font. Read our post on how to implement these fonts, and choose what’s best for your blog!
2. Simplify
Lately design preferences are leaning towards crisp, clean, compact designs with lots of great color combinations and subtle patterns. Instead of huge prints and scrapbook-style designs, or large headers with cluttered graphics – try to liven up your site by taking away some items instead of adding them. Make your header smaller and remove unnecessary graphics. Make your background a small repeatable pattern in order to both save on load time, and focus attention to your content.
3. Make a Schedule
Decide how many posts you can reasonably write in a week, and stick to it! If you’re in a writing groove one week, write more posts than usual and schedule them for next week. Consistency is key in retaining and gaining new blog readers!
Use the WP Editorial Calendar Plugin to Easily Schedule Posts
4. Make it Accessible
Almost every page on your site should be easily accessible from the home page. Rather than having users click through to one page, then another…then another – consolidate your pages and posts, and outline your menu bar, sidebars, and footer to give visitors gateways to all your information.
5. Start Something New
If making improvements and changing up your blog isn’t quite satisfying your need for change, start up a NEW blog! A good practice in any industry is making sure you’re not spreading yourself too thin, or creating too much work to handle. However, if your interests have changed or your previous blog or website’s content is starting to be lackluster or even going in a different direction – you (and your start-up) could benefit from a whole new concept.
6. Hire it Out
We would ALL love to hire people to do the things we just hate to do! (Dishes, washing the car, taxes, website coding…) Even though we attempt to do it all ourselves in an effort to save money, hiring people to do some things FOR you can actually save you money and time. This doesn’t just apply to hiring someone to help you with your blog, but perhaps you can pay a babysitter/maid service to clean your house for 2 hours per week in order to work on your blog yourself and have some “alone” time. Maybe the entire idea of creating an online business was meant to give you more time with family. In that case, hire a blog or website designer to do it more quickly and efficiently than you’re able to. The key to hiring someone is to choose a person that is good at what they do, so you can be good at what YOU do.
If you are a blog or website designer, check out our list of services offered for designers.
If you are a blogger, check out our list of blog designers.
7. Learn It
In this case “it” refers to whatever you truly wish to learn. Whether it is how to improve your writing, or how to design your own blog – pick one thing to research and learn until you’re comfortable and confident. Invest your time, and money if necessary. No, not until you’re perfect. Not until you’re the best. Just until you know it well enough to be confident in your skills. With persistence, it will happen in a shorter time than you think.
We offer a wide range of classes you can take from your computer in a live setting that allows you to listen and view as the instructor teaches. You can see a full calendar of classes, or view the catalog!
8. Don’t Wait
Many of us like to wait. Wait until we are ready, wait until the New Year, wait for spring, wait until next month, wait until it’s just right, wait until Monday… Being afraid to do something, launch something, change something, or learn something doesn’t need to wait. Force yourself to start NOW and not only will time be on your side, but the imminence of being in the middle of your project will force you to push yourself to complete the task. Better your blog, better your website, and better yourself….and start now!
We have been successfully teaching The Blog Designer Workshop for over two years, producing hundreds of savvy designers who have started their own design businesses! During that time, we’ve experimented with different teaching methods, materials, and ways in which you can learn how to do this yourself. So we created a new and improved Blog & Web Designer Workshop that covers more information, with more take-away materials, and hands-on interaction than ever before! It also fully encompasses how to create print graphics, and make fully functional websites that integrate e-commerce plugins, forums, and more using WordPress.
Register Here and use the code “earlybird” for 40% off!
This workshop is unlike any other we’ve ever created, giving you the tools you will need to start a business with design and coding skills. This fun and interactive class will provide you with:
Detailed PDF notes of every class.
EDITED videos you can refer to at any time.
The Genesis Theme Framework ($80 Value) and Child Theme of choice from Studiopress.com to practice with.
All-encompassing HTML and CSS training that includes advanced techniques in WordPress, PHP, and more.
Worksheets that you can use to wire-frame your own website, and brainstorm creative ideas.
Homework and assignments that will help build your portfolio.
A private discussion board to participate in, and learn from other students and the instructor(s).
Access to knowledgeable and professional instructors and successful web designers who have been in the business for years.
Private mentoring upon request. (Addt’l fee.)
By the end of this course, each student should have their own graphic or web design studio launched and ready to take on business. Instructors will take a vested interested in the success of each student during the course. Students who wish to take this class should have a desire and aptitude for creativity, the internet, and an entrepreneurial spirit. New designers will be featured on the Blog Designer Network’s website and regularly promoted based on their skill level and participation.
Due to the nature of the course, only 25 registrants will be allowed.
Class is every Thursday ONLINE from 7pm-9pm Mountain, 6-8pm Pacific, 8-10 Central, 9-11 Eastern. You simply have to follow the instructions to login at the right time. You will not be seen or heard, but will interact with a speaking instructor via chat.
Students who have previously taken any of the Blog Designer Workshop series are eligible to receive all the materials, or even attend the class with special permission and if space allows. Contact us for details.
Register Here and use the code “earlybird” for 40% off!
Special thanks to the following designers for allowing us to use their portfolio samples for the image in this post! (In order from top to bottom, left to right.)
Nina’s Design Studio
Priceless Design Studio
Grey Bloom Designs
Creative Girl Media
Jula Studio
WahmCommerce
If you are anything like me, you subscribe to a lot of blogs. And on a daily basis you find things you want to remember………maybe a great craft tutorial, recipe, how to edit photos or maybe just something you’d like to share with your readers or friends. Well, what if you had an easy way to help you remember all of that great stuff you find online?
People, I would like to introduce you to your new friend {with a GREAT memory}………Tumblr
Tumblr.com is a free and lightweight blogging platform, aimed at making it effortless to share text, photos, quotes, links, music, and videos, from your browser, phone, desktop, email, or wherever you happen to be, and doing it the quick and easy way!
I use Tumblr as my “online idea notebook” and I call mine TidyMom Finds. Go ahead a click over, take a look, I’ll wait………………
Fun isn’t it? Just a collection of pictures and links to things I’ve found and like.
Don’t worry, it’s not time consuming. I know many of you are thinking ” I blog, facebook , and twitter…how could I possibly add another platform to that list?” But Tumblr is SO easy after you sign up and set up your tumblr blog, you add content with just a few clicks……..you can even have it automatically send out a tweet when you add a new post.
Come along, I’ll show you some of the basics!
First remember………..Tumblr is about SIMPLICITY. Not a place you have to worry about making all fancy with pretty layouts and such. You literally sign up and can begin posting with in a minute.
After you sign up you can customize your Tumblr blog by clicking on theme and you can choose from several themes, each will determine the layout of your page. Appearance will change colors. Save and close. Play around with it for a bit until you find a look that you like. This can all be changed later if you wish.
Below you can see how I customized INFO on my Tumblr blog
Click on SERVICES to have your Tumblr posts sent to Twitter or Facebook.
Here’s a look at what your Tumblr Dashboard will look like
See how I’ve circled “Goodies” – click that, it’s what is going to make Tumbling so quick and easy! You will just drag the “Share on Tumblr” bookmarklet to your toolbar – see the RED ARROW in the picture above.
Now you are all set to start Tumbling. By having that bookmarklet you wont even need to go to your Tumblr Blog to make a post.
I’m going to share how I post to my TidyMom Finds, but you can play around with it and post how ever you’d like.
I don’t go looking for things on my tumblr blog, I just add to it when I’m browsing sites. Anytime I see something that I want to remember or share with others…….this is what I do.
*Note, be SURE you are on the permalink and not the main blog address.
Click “Share on Tumblr” in my tool bar. A tumblr box will pop up and it will automatically add information from the post. (you can change the Name/Post title if you wish)
I usually add a little bit of text next
Click the “photo” tab if you want a photo from their page to add to your tumblr post
Click on a photo you wish to have in your post
Click “create post”
The Tumblr Box will say done and close. That’s IT!
If you want to check your Tumblr Blog to see if it posted just click your Tumblr url to see.
Now when I’m ready to bake Christmas cookies, I’ll know where I found some good ideas and tips!
Click here to see the post on my Tumblr blog. Basically all it is, is a link to Bake at 350 blog post about her Personalized Christmas Ornament cookies .
See, it automatically posted to my Twitter account as well!
and if you ever need to edit or delete a post, go to your dashboard and to the right of each post you will see delete edit
WHEW!! I know it seems like a lot……..but really it’s so simple and a great way to keep track of things you want to remember and/or share.
I keep a link to my Tumblr blog, TidyMom Finds in my “connect” buttons on my blog
A Mommy’s Blog Design Studio looking for 1-2 designers for Blogger and WordPress to join out team! Our work flow has picked up and we need more help. You will be hired as an independent contractor for A Mommy’s Blog Design and the commission will be split 50/50 of the total purchase price.
We are looking for someone:
that can design and install for self-hosted WordPress.org blogs using the Genesis Framework with StudioPress’s Child Themes
and/or that can design and install for Blogger.com blogs.
who can edit colors on .ai and .eps files. Not a necessary requirement but would be a plus. We work a lot with iStockphoto.com files and our Custom Illustrator’s files. Sometimes colors may need to be changed to match the blog design – from eye color, clothes color, skin color, etc.
who has a design style similar to us. Pleases see our graphic and simple portfolios.
who is loyal, friendly, trustworthy, and good customer services skills.
who goes above and beyond trying to work their best with our customers, from design style, requests, and changes.
who can follow through with promised dates.
How it will work:
After the client makes their payment I will email you all the information you need for the blog design project. Designer (you) will work directly with the customer. Commission will be split 50/50 and our blog design prices are as follow:
Blogger pacage is $150 (50% is $75)
WordPress package is $350 (50% is $175)
These prices could go up if the customer orders extra accessories. Commission will be paid to the designer 1 week before the scheduled first draft date. We may send you 1 to 3 design projects per month depending on your availability and the amount of projects that come in.
If this sounds like a job fit for you please visit this page and fill out the online application.
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April 24, 2012
12:09 pm
Member
Forum Posts: 5
Member Since:
February 15, 2012
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Hi, everyone!
I did follow the jigoshiop: the content wrapped code in my blog design business. However, I found two main problems in my blog that the sidebar is below all products in the shop (Example #1: the sidebar below over all products) Below:
[Image Can Not Be Found]
Another problem is that the product related and reviews description box width. I cannot find any codes in the CSS or HTML to reduce the width. (Example #2: the Related Products / Product Review Description Box Width).
[Image Can Not Be Found]
If you know how to fix the codes, please let me know soon!
I’d appreciated your help.
Thank you,
Joyce 🙂
April 24, 2012
12:12 pm
Member
Forum Posts: 5
Member Since:
February 15, 2012
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[Image Can Not Be Found]
Example #2 (Related Product/ Review Description Box Width)
May’s featured designer is Jessica at The Pixelista!
My name is Jessica Barnard, and I am a twenty-something with a passion for all things art and design. I am more than a little obsessed with the era of the late 50s to early 60s, and subsequently I am a serial collector of domestic hobbies like baking and sewing.
I am a classically trained Graphic Designer with roots in the publishing industry. I discovered my knack for web development when I sought out to customize the design of my blog in 2005, and it naturally morphed into my full-fledged career.
When I’m not glued to my computer beautifying the internet (which, *cough* I’ll admit is most of the time!), I love seeing movies and taking joy rides on my vintage pink cruiser bicycle.
Here is what some of her former clients had to say in their nominations.
Jessica is an amazing designer. I love her work and she totally revamped my site and I’ve gotten so many compliments on it. She’s creative, thoughtful and is very pleasant to work with. — Stacie Vaughan, Simply Stacie
Jessica was a dream to work with – not only did she design me a beautiful new website, but she was very fast, and answered all of my questions. Jessica is the only designer that I will use from here on out! — Jessica, MomVantage
I asked for something totally unrelated to what Jessica usually does and she delivered above all expectations. She was and is a delight to work with and is brilliant artistically. She pulled my scattered thoughts together and came up with something totally me. Basically, she rocked it. I love the girl, best investment I’ve made in my business hands down. — Annie Valentine
I am nominating Jessica aka the Pixelista because she is absolutely extremely talented! Jessica created my website for me and she took my suggestions and input and completely ran with it! Jessica was very professional throughout the process and is obviously very talented! — Andrea Abeyta, Forever Frazier
Here are some examples of Jessica’s work:
You can follow Jessica on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to check out The Pixelista!
